Operating cord or chain for switches.



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A.' A. TIRRILL. OPERATING CORD 0R CHAIN FOR SWITCHES.

APPLICATION nun APE.13,1910.

1,031,400; Patented July2, 1912.

ammtoz I ALLEN A. TIRE/ILL, OF SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK.

OPERATING CORD OR CHAIN FOR SWITCHES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 2, 1912.

Application filed April 13, 1910. Serial No. 555.266.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, ALLEN A. Tnunnn, a citizen of the United States,residing at. Schenectady, in the count y of Schenectady and State ofNewYork, have invented C81" tain new and useful Improvements inOperating Cords or Chains for,Switches, of which the following is aspecification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

"his invention relates to improvements in operating cords or chains forswitches and the like, the same 'in general respects having referenceparticularly to means for detachably connecting a suspended operatingcord or chain to an actuating part of a switch, as set forth anddescribed in my copending application executed of even date herewith.

The pres'ent improvements cmb'acc instrumentalities for engagement withthat type of operating cord or chain commonly styled a ball chain, butit will be apparent that the device is capable of use in otherconnections.

A convenient embodiment of the invention comprises aball chain, andmeans; for connecting the same to a rotatable actuating sheave or othermovable part of a switch mechanism, comprising an offset projectionadapted to engage the said switch part, and a catch-adapted to engagebeneath one of the end balls of the chain.

An ancillary feature of the invention embraces the provision of a ballor knob for the end of the chain, and means for connecting the same tothe chain or cord so that the ball will be free to rotate with referenceto the latter.

The novel features of construction and arrangement will be apparent fromthe detailed description hereinafter when read in connection with theaccompanying drawings forming part; hereof and wherein a convenientembodiment of the invention is illustrated.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fragmentary portionof a switch showing my improved chain applied thereto, Fig. 2 is aperspective view of the do tachable connection or 'atch, Fig. 3 is atransverse section showing the engagement of the catch with the chain,Fig. 4 l: an elevation of the chain showing the ball or knob at thelower end thereof in section. and Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the ball Oiknob.

Referring more specifically to the drawings wherein like referencecharacters designate corresponding parts in the several views. Arepresents an actuating sheave or rotatable part of a switch, theperiphery of which is grooved to receive the chain to be hereinafterdescribed, and a portion of the periphery being slotted as at C.

D is a ball chain of any ordinary or preferred structural formation toone end of which my improved connecting device E is secured, while atthe other end my improved ball or knob construction F is fastened. Theconnecting device E has an offset T- head F adapted to detachably engagethe slotted portion of the periphery of the sheave, as illustrated, anda curved snap catch portion H adapted to form a seat therein for theuppermost ball of the chain and comprising oppositely disposed fingers hnotched as at k to form an opening 2' for the intermediate portion 1between the balls of the chain, theouter ends of the lingers beingarranged to spring into substantially closed relation to secure the ballto the seat therein.

From this construction it is seen that the chain may he slipped throughthe rctaining fingers into the seat. provided for the uppermost ball ofthe chain by simply slipping the connecting portion between the balls ofthe chain through-lire lingers, the fingers yielding apart s utlicientlyfor that purpose and springing shut a's before noted. The pulling ballor knob F is madeof hartl rubber, porcelain or equivalent material.andis secured to the chain by a small washer J passing over theconnecting portion I between the lowermost balls. The washer is of ashape to seat within a recc.-.s K in the ball and engage a shoulder Ltherein. an aperture M in the top of the ball enabling the chain to-passtherethrough. 'In this way, the ball is freely mounted on the chain andmay be readily removed or attached by simply slipping the ball upwardlyon the chain and correspondingly removing or applying the spring or snapwasher. When fastened in this manner, the ball is capable of rotation orplay with reference to the chain at all times.

\Yhilc l have herein disclosed one specific that set forth herein,as-will be apparent ,to

those skilled in the art.

o 7 and inc-m ster prewzntingseptrration of washerengaging betiveen theadjoining links (If the chain and abutting the hall.

2. A switch attachment of the character described comprising a pullchain, a hall sleeved thereon, and means for preventing separation ofthe ball from the chain comprising snap Washer engaging between adjoining links of the chain and abutting the hall, said ball l'niving arecessed portion for the accommodation of the Washer and a shoulder forContact therewith.

25. in an attachment of the character described. a pull hain, a ballsleeved thereon, :mda detachable device engaging the chain bctweenadjoining links thereof to prevent the ball from separating therefrom.

4'. in an attachment of the character de srribed, a pull chain, a ballsleeved thereon. and a. detachable device engaging the chain betweenadjoining links thereof to prevent the ball from separating therefrom,the ball having a recessed portion for the accommodation of said.device.

1ft switch attachment of the character dw'rribed cmnprising a pullchain, a ball sleeved thereon, and detachable means for prev ntingseparation of the ball from the -hain-comprising, a split washerengaging; between adjoininglinks of the chain and abuttingthe ball, saidball having a recessed portion for the acconnn odation of the Washer anda shoulder for contact therewith.

An attachment of the character described comprising a connecting devicehaving an attaching portion and a snap catch adapted to engage onoperating cord comprisingnn otTs-et slitted portion adapted to closearound the cord, one of the fingers ot' the slitted portion beingnotched to consti lute an intermediate openin 7. .un attachment of thecharacter derribcd comprising a connecting device having an offsetattaching portion and a catch :n'lapted to engage an operating cordcomprising an oti'set slittcd portion, the fingers ot' the slittedportion being notched, to coni titute an intermediate opening 8. Anattachment of the character dc lfitfilbtld comprising a connectingdevice having an oilsotattaching portion and a catch adapted to engagean operating cord comprising an ofi'set-slitted portion, c1 rved tonstitute ball seat, and the fingers oi the slitted portion beingnot-chedto constitute an intermediate opening.

9. An attachment of the character debidi, from the chain comprising asnap.

statute an intermediate opening,

eistic scribed comprising a connecting device hatr';-'

ing an offset attaching portion and a catch adapted to engage anoperating cord comprising an offset slitted portion, the fingers of theslitted portion being notched to conthe ends of the fingers beingadapted .to approach each other to close said opening.

10. An attachment. of the character described comprising a connectingdevice ha ving' an oti'sct attaching portion and a catch adapted toengage an operating com comprising'an oltsct slitted portion curved toconstitute a slitted portion being notched to constitute an intermediateopening, the ends of the fingers being adapted to approach each other toclose said opening.

, 1'1. An attachment of the character, described comprising a connectingdevice havinn an attaching portion and a snap catch adapted to, engagean operating cord comprising an offset slitted portion adapted to closearound the cord, the fingers being bent to constitute a ball seat, andone of the fingers being notched to constitute an intermediate opening.

12. A device of: the class described comprising a coupling member havinga bent end portion slotted from its extremity inball seat, the fingersof the wardly. the slott d portion being contiguous to the intermediateconnecting portion and forming therewith a retaining seat or socket.

13. An attachment of the character described, comprising a connectingdevice having an attaching portion and a. springy slitted portionadapted to engage an operating cord and to close transversely around thecord to prevent escape of the latter from the slitted portion.

14. An attachment of the character described, con'iprising a connectingdevice having an attaching portion and a springy slitted portion adaptedto engage an operating cord and to close transversely around the cord toprevent escape of the latter from the slitted portion, the said slittedportion being bent over to constitute a ball seat on the inside of theattachment. Y

15. An attachment of the character described, comprising a connectingdevice having an attaching portion and releasable means adapted to closetransversely around an operating cord to confine the cord there- Within.

In testimony whereof it my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

' ALLEN A. TIRRILL.

Witnesses:

DANIEL; EAYLON, Jr M. M. Hoonrom).

